Electrolytic process using insoluble anodes.



-PATENTED NOV. 7, 1905.

A. G. BETTS. ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS USING INSOLUBLB ANODES.

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In l/EmUR WinESsEs @MMM/M ANSON GARDNER BETTS, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS USING INSOLUBLE ANODES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. v, 1905.

Application 'lled February 16, 1905. Serial No. 245,884..

T all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, ANsoN GARDNER BETTs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectrolyticProcesses Using Insoluble Anodes, of which the following is aspecification accompanied by a drawing.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, and the referencecharacters marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the drawing.

The single figure of the drawing is a view in vertical cross-section ofan electrolytic cell for carrying out my invention.

This invention relates to improvements in electrolytic processes incarrying out which insoluble anodes are used.

The principal objects of my invention are i to increase the yield fromoxidations carried out by the anode reaction, to prolong the life of theanodes, and to decrease the voltage required. Such objects are achievedby very greatly increasing the speed with which the layer of solution incontact with the anodesurface is changed. A sufficiently rapid changecanbe brought about by circulation much more rapid than has been used inpractical operations; but the size and disposition of electrodes used inpractical work are such that quick enough circulation could only beobtained with difficulty.

My present preferred method consists in using anodes, most suitably inthe form of rods, and giving them a motion, most easily andsatisfactorily a reciprocating motion in a direction `perpendicular totheir length, whereby the layer of electrolyte is so rapidly changedthat surprising results follow. For example, in electrolyzing a solutionof ferrous and cupric sulfates, with a diaphragm, depositing copper on acathode, and converting ferrous to ferrie sulfate at the anode, and witha circulation of electrolyte that was previously considered amplysuiiicient, the electromotive force required to work the cell wasconsiderably reduced,l the evolution of gas at the anode was entirelystopped, and the current efficiency raised from about fifty per cent. toone hundred per cent. on giving the anodes a reciprocating motion ofabout one hundred complete cycles per minute, with an amplitude of aboutone inch.

I am aware that motion has been given to soluble anodes, but not thatitV has been done in practical work, as no material advantages aresecured in this way; but I have discovered by experiment that by movinginsoluble anodes through the electrolyte greatly improved results areobtained. When using soluble anodes, the anions are electrolyticallybrought to the anode-surface and there combine with the elements of theanodes to forms salts which diifuse into the solutions. There is a moreconcentrated layer of electrolyte around the anodes; but this does notcause serious polarization; but when using insoluble anodes in processesin which it is not intended that oxygen or halogens should be liberatedin the free state the anions, with their oxidizing properties,areliberated in a very narrow zone, in which zone the supply of reagent itis intended to oxidize is quickly used up and oxidation of the water orof the anode, or of both, must take place. Further, the element it isintended to oxidize is in general present as cation, so that it isalways moving away from and out of the layer in which its oxidation cantake place.

My process is applicable to a great number .of electrolytic oxidations,of which I might mention as examples the oxidation of organic substancesand the manufacture of chromic acid from chromium sulfate. It is of thegreatest advantage in electrolyzing with anodes of amorphous orgraphitic carbon, for the lowering of the electromotive force hinders orentirely prevents the oxidation of the carbon.

In my application, Serial No. 202,367, filed May 1 1, 1904, I have shownand claimed apparatus for carrying out my present invention.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which- 1 is a tankfitted with diaphragms 2 and containing the electrolyte 3, whichcontains a substance it is desired to oxidize.

4 represents cathodes, and the anode, supported in a conducting-block 6,in turn carried by a non-conducting rod 7, sliding on supports 8.Reciprocating motion is given the anode by means of the connecting-rod 9and the crank 10, driven by the belt 11.

IOO

I consider a fluorin acid to be the equivalent of an oxygen acid for thepresent purpose, for the result is the same at the anode.

If no oxidation is taking place at the anode, oxygen is liberated inboth cases.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The process of oxidizing an ingredient of asolution, substantiallyfree from halogen ions, which consists in electrolyzing the solutionWith an insoluble anode, while producing relative motion between saidanode and solution suflicient to materially facilitate the continuousoxidation of the said ing'redient by the liberated anions, and tosubstantially continuously preventl the evolution of oxygencontaininggas at the anode.

2. The process of oxidizing, in a solution practically free from halogenions, a metallic salt of polybasic acid, which consists in electrolyzingthe solution with an insoluble anode, while producingI relative motionbetween said anode and solution sulicient to materially facilitate thecontinuous oxidation of the said salt, and to substantially continuouslyprevent the evolution of oxygen-containing gas at the anode.

3. The process of oxidizing' in solution a ferrous salt of a polybasicacid to ferrie salt, Which consists in electrolyzing the solution withan insoluble anode, While producing relative movement between said anodeand solution sufcient to materially facilitate the continuous conversionof said ferrous salt to ferric salt, and to substantially continuouslyprevent the evolution of oxygen-containing' g'as at the anode.

4. The process of oxidizing in solution ferrous salt to ferrie saltwhich consists in electrol yzin'g the solution with an insoluble anode,and giving the anode suiicient motion through the solution to materiallyfacilitate the continuous conversion of the ferrous salt to ferric salt.

5. The process of oxidizing in solution a ferrous salt of a polybasicacid to ferrie salt, which consists in electrolyzing the solution with acarbon anode, and giving the anode sufficient motion through thesolution to materially facilitate the continuous conversion of ferroussalt to ferrie salt.

G. The process of converting in solution ferrous salt to ferric salt anddepositing a metal from said solution simultaneously, Which consists inelectrolyzing the solution with an insoluble anode and a suitablecathode, and moving the anode through the solution.

7. rlhe process of converting' ferrous salt in solution to ferrie saltand simultaneously depositing copper from the solution, which consistsin electrolyzing the solution with an insoluble anode moving' throughthe solution, and with a suitable cathode.

8. The process of converting in solution ferrous to ferrie sulfate. andremoving copper from the solution which consists in electrolyzing' thesolution With an insoluble anode moving through the solution, and with asuitable cathode.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribingwitnesses, this 14th day of February,

ANSON GARDNER BETTS.

Vitnesses:

FREDERICK CLARK, EDWARD F. KERN.

